Girdling and gibberellic acid effects on yield and quality of a seedless red table grape for saving irrigation water supply

Table grapes need of substantial water supply for achieving commercial requirements. Viticulture practices such as girdling (G) and gibberellic acid (GA) application, as well as water supply, can improve table grape quality. The study, which was conducted in two consecutive seasons (2010–2011), aimed to assess the counterbalance effect of these viticulture practices on yield and quality parameters and flavonoids composition in case of a significant and unusual irrigation water reduction (40%) applied to a table grape variety. The data from the two-way ANOVA and PCA analyses indicated that viticulture practices were clearly related to anthocyanins and flavonols variations whereas water management appeared mainly involved in the yield parameters variability. Specifically, the reduced water supply (RWS) decreased the grape yield (−20%) with respect to full water supply (FWS); by contrast GA, G, and G × GA treatments determined an increment of grape production ranging from 10 to 23%, independently from irrigation strategy. Moreover, G, in particular applied to RWS grapes, was able to improve the total soluble solids over titrable acidity (TSS/TA), a ratio strictly related to the quality perception by the consumer. Total anthocyanins were found positively linked to FWS whereas flavanols content was indifferent to water management. Instead viticulture practices seemed to have a greater impact on anthocyanin composition, considering that in RWS grapes under GA condition, higher contents of malvidin and peonidin (mainly responsible for the color stability of the skins) were revealed. Furtheremore, catechins and rutin appeared significantly enhanced by G and G × GA, and GA, respectively. From gathered findings, it can be concluded that suitable viticulture practices can allow a sensible reduction of water supply during table grape growth cycle without detrimental effects on yield and quality.